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As a TEFL teacher, you'll help learners develop their English language skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing. You'll plan and deliver lessons, assess students' progress, adapt your teaching to different ages and abilities, and create activities that build confidence in using English in real-life situations.

You could work in schools, specialist language schools, private training providers, or further and higher education institutions. Many TEFL teachers work overseas, although there are also opportunities to teach English to speakers of other languages in the UK.

TEFL teachers are often employed on fixed-term contracts, such as for an academic year. Some choose to be self-employed or work as freelance tutors, offering lessons in person or online.

The flexibility of TEFL means it can suit different career goals. Some graduates teach for a short period, such as during a gap year or while travelling, while others build a long-term career in English language teaching, teacher training or educational management.

Many employers, particularly overseas, require applicants to have a bachelor's degree. This is often a visa requirement rather than a teaching requirement, and the degree can usually be in any subject. Degrees in English, linguistics or modern languages may be particularly relevant but are not essential.

Most employers also look for a recognised TEFL qualification, such as:

These qualifications are available as full-time and part-time courses. Entry requirements vary by provider, but you'll typically need to be at least 18 years old, have a high standard of spoken and written English, and hold qualifications equivalent to A-levels or above.

During your training, you'll learn how to plan lessons, manage a classroom, assess learners' progress and adapt your teaching to students from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Relevant experience, such as tutoring, mentoring, volunteering or teaching, can strengthen your applications. However, some entry-level and short-term TEFL roles are open to newly qualified teachers with little or no previous teaching experience.

If you're looking to teach English during a gap year or gain experience before committing to a longer-term career, shorter TEFL courses can provide an introduction to English language teaching.

Many providers offer online TEFL courses ranging from around 120 hours to more advanced qualifications, allowing you to study at your own pace. Some also offer intensive classroom or blended learning options that can be completed over a few weeks.

It's worth checking whether a course is recognised by employers in the country where you plan to teach. While shorter introductory courses can help you develop your skills, many employers prefer applicants to hold a recognised qualification such as a 120-hour TEFL certificate, Cambridge CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL.

For more information about training routes and employment opportunities, see the Prospects profile on

With experience, TEFL teachers can progress into more senior teaching and leadership roles, such as senior teacher, director of studies, teacher trainer, academic manager or materials writer.

Many teachers continue their professional development by completing an advanced teaching qualification, such as:

• Cambridge DELTA (Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
• Trinity DipTESOL (Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)

Some teachers also choose to study for a master's degree in TESOL, English Language Teaching, Applied Linguistics or a related subject. This can open up opportunities in teacher training, curriculum development, educational management and higher education.

If you want to teach in a UK state school, you'll usually need to complete a recognised teacher training programme leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) (or the equivalent qualification in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland). See the for more details of this.

Teaching English language programmes in UK universities often requires a relevant postgraduate qualification and significant teaching experience.

Experienced TEFL teachers can move into:

• Academic management (Director of Studies, Academic Manager)
• Teacher training and mentoring
• Curriculum or materials development
• Assessment and examination roles (e.g. with awarding organisations)
• Educational publishing
• International education management

Many TEFL opportunities are based overseas, where you could work for organisations such as the British Council, private language schools, international schools, universities, private training providers or volunteer organisations.

In the UK, opportunities are available with specialist English language schools, further education colleges, universities, adult education providers, charities and community organisations that support people learning English.

Useful websites:

• British Council – information about teaching English overseas, professional development and current teaching vacancies.
• EL Gazette – news, jobs, events and course listings for English language teachers.
• i-to-i TEFL – TEFL training, advice and international job listings.

• Prospects - career profile: